Electroencephalographic Pattern and Galvanic Skin Resistance Levels during Short Duration of "aum" Mantra Chanting

Introduction: "AUM" or "Om" is the name or symbol of God which is the combination of three letters, namely, A, U, and M. It is found that previous studies have evaluated only the long term effects of mantra chanting on experienced meditators. There is lacunae in evaluating the immediate effect of short duration of "aum" chanting in untrained subjects which will evaluate the strong potency of "aum" mantra chanting on mind relaxing physiological mechanisms to prevent and counteract the effects of stress related disorders.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the electroencephalographic pattern, galvanic skin resistance levels and heart rate during 5 minutes of "aum" mantra chanting in untrained subjects.

Methodology: The recordings of electroencephalogram, electrocardiogram and values of galvanic skin resistance levels were taken during the control period of rest before "aum" chanting for 5 minutes immediately followed by the test period which was during 5 minutes of "aum" chanting and the recordings continued for 5 minutes after the chanting procedure.

Results: Beta wave electroencephalographic pattern of 18-30 Hz. were recorded before chanting. During 5 minutes of "aum" chanting the subjects showed slow wave electroencephalographic patterns of theta and delta waves suggestive of mental relaxation and simultaneously there was a significant decrease in galvanic skin resistance values and an increase in heart rate (p< 0.05) which are suggestive of activation. Thus it is concluded that there is a combination of physiological relaxation and mental alertness even during short duration of "aum" mantra chanting.